A Pilot Project to Promote Research Competency in Medical Students Through Journal Clubs: Mixed Methods Study.

JMIR Med Educ

Lysholm Department of Neuroradiology, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Neuroimaging Analysis Centre, Queen Square 8-11, London, WC1N3BG, United Kingdom, 44 2034483446.

Published: October 2024

AI Article Synopsis

  • Undergraduate medical students often lack hands-on research experience, prompting the Cerrahpasa Neuroscience Society to create a program aimed at enhancing their research skills and encouraging student-led projects.
  • The initiative provided structured training through journal clubs, mentorship, and resource access, allowing 30 volunteer students from various Turkish medical schools to engage in either original research or systematic reviews.
  • As of April 2024, the program resulted in 3 published papers and 3 under peer review, while also increasing student interest in research and self-directed learning.

Article Abstract

Background: Undergraduate medical students often lack hands-on research experience and fundamental scientific research skills, limiting their exposure to the practical aspects of scientific investigation. The Cerrahpasa Neuroscience Society introduced a program to address this deficiency and facilitate student-led research.

Objective: The primary goal of this initiative was to enhance medical students' research output by enabling them to generate and publish peer-reviewed papers within the framework of this pilot project. The project aimed to provide an accessible, global model for research training through structured journal clubs, mentorship from experienced peers, and resource access.

Methods: In January 2022, a total of 30 volunteer students from various Turkish medical schools participated in this course-based undergraduate research experience program. Students self-organized into 2 groups according to their preferred study type: original research or systematic review. Two final-year students with prior research experience led the project, developing training modules using selected materials. The project was implemented entirely online, with participants completing training modules before using their newly acquired theoretical knowledge to perform assigned tasks.

Results: Based on student feedback, the project timeline was adjusted to allow for greater flexibility in meeting deadlines. Despite these adjustments, participants successfully completed their tasks, applying the theoretical knowledge they had gained to their respective assignments. As of April 2024, the initiative has culminated in 3 published papers and 3 more under peer review. The project has also seen an increase in student interest in further involvement and self-paced learning.

Conclusions: This initiative leverages globally accessible resources for research training, effectively fostering research competency among participants. It has successfully demonstrated the potential for undergraduates to contribute to medical research output and paved the way for a self-sustaining, student-led research program. Despite some logistical challenges, the project provided valuable insights for future implementations, showcasing the potential for students to engage in meaningful, publishable research.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11542906PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/51173DOI Listing

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